Quoted from PinChili:I'm looking for options when re-doing playfield artwork (for a re-theme.) As near as I can tell the options are:
Remove the pf inserts, sand the entire playfield clean, replace the inserts then:
1) Have new artwork hand painted (airbrushed or otherwise) then clear coat.
2) Design your own artwork and send the playfield to "some" manufacturer who can print the new artwork directly on the playfield for you
OR
3) Have your artwork printed on a mylar type material and apply it yourself
Suggestions? Who has the equipment to print art directly onto a playfield? Are there playfield artwork templates available for certain games? Any tips on sanding a playfield and prepping it?
THANKS
Some pin-parts suppliers (e.g. Marco Specialties) offer mylar sheets by-the-foot which are 3mil thick. My thought was to use printable photo paper sticker sheets. Using hi-res graphics on your computer, the image will look sharp on the photo sticker. To avoid covering up inserts and saucers, make an 8.5x11 template per 8.5x11 space on the PF, scan each template, and add the image for that area. After you've "stickered" the whole PF, lay down mylar top to bottom. I instantly realize this method has a great chance for error because lining up the sheets just right might be difficult, and you might need to design the artwork to hide the borders of the sheets. But this might be the easiest DIY method.. Also if you think there ever might be a chance you or someone will want to restore the machine, mylar the whole PF first, lay down your graphics, and mylar again. Makes removing them as easy as pulling off the old mylar, and adding a total of maybe 10mil to the surface of the PF shouldn't make too much of a difference on most games.
The idea came to me when I was making "Frozen" stickers for my daughter using images from the internet. The images were high-res and when printed on photo sticker paper, looked as good if not better than stickers you'd by in a store. (Which is what started the whole thing, "Honey, we don't need to buy those, we can make them ourselves..")